Developing Willpower!

[ArcturusXIV]

Anyone have any meditations or tips they'd like to share on overcoming obstacles? Here I am at a crossing point of my raw food diet, and I don't want to give up coffee! Eek! Aleesha's fast was inspiring (you just beat Jesus by about 3x the amount), but I need to work on getting that sort of Will for myself! Thanks, you guys are inspiring!!:eek:

[Cottonball McFluffy]

Ashtanga yoga unless you already do it. I noticed that if I do it every morning, I stay more alert during the day, my posture gets better and I feel calm and without cravings. It's good for relaxing and gaining focus.

[JennaHoneyBear]

"It's not that some people have willpower and some don't. It's that some people are ready to change and others are not." ~James Gordon

[CathyA.]

"It's not that some people have willpower and some don't. It's that some people are ready to change and others are not." ~James Gordon

Good point. When you are ready...you will do it.

[healthywealthy]

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

- Author unknown

[Bud Greene]

Hey, I've got one that strikes a chord with me everytime:

"Consider the postage stamp: its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there." ~Josh Billings

[Schutzengel]

A way to give up on unhealthy food easily is to do it slowly and to take a bit less each day. You can try drinking a cup of coffee on day 1, than 95% on day 2, 90% on day 3, etc.

[EZ rider]

Will power seems to ebb and flow for me. Sometimes I'm very strong and make a decision about something and stick to it. Other times I yield without hardly putting up a fight. I wish will power were more predictable !

[CathyA.]

Ahhh yes. But if it were....would we need it? ;)

[soulvibe]

Yes, coffee is a drug that many find very difficult to cut out when transitioning to a raw food diet, so you're not alone my friend! As far as willpower is concerned, start by asking yourself why you drink coffee. I know that sounds like a very basic question, but I'm meaning in terms of what the substance is giving you? Or what it may be compensating for? Become consciously aware when you drink coffee, and do not judge yourself, just be aware while drinking it, and afterwards, noticing the effects (emotional & physical) it gives you. I've found through personal experience that when overcoming any addiction, keeping a journal or notebook of some sort is really great as a reflective tool. You will start to understand the reasons for this addiction and how you can overcome it.

In terms of natural alternatives to coffee, buy yourself a juicer if you haven't got one already. You won't be disappointed! :) An alternative, caffeine-free and super healthy 'buzz' juice recipe I can suggest is: apple, lemon, ginger, parsley (juice from this is pretty much a natural caffeine hit), and celery. It's called the 'Lemon Ginger Blast'... I can assure you that will get you feeling wide awake in the mornings my friend! :D

Hope this helps :)

Matt

[brydee]

You can replace your coffee with homemade dandelion coffee for a while I would of thought, it is still roasted but alot healthier and as far as im aware actually good for you. It smells alot like coffee and has the same heaviness just a little different, if you take milk you could have it with almond or hemp milk etc . I know people have different opinions on cacao but this has really helped me in the past in having a heavy drink. When I get hungry and dont want food my natural reaction is usually to get a heavy drink like coffee or hot chocolate.
Like soulvibe says write everything down! I plan on doing that this time as in the past just gone with what my body is feeling rather than trying to figure out what is causing my addictions to certain foods and it has not been a good outcome for me, really must deal with the root cause I believe because if you just give it up without fully knowing the emotional reason, other than the physical this area needs work. The majority of the the population know that certain items are not good for you health, still they take them, if it was just the physical side people would give them up wouldnt they?

[Revvell]

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is very powerful for eliminating cravings. There's lots of free info on the internet on how to do it. There's a free handbook by the creator; there are lots of videos on YouTube.

If "willpower" worked, we'd all be where we want to be; doing what we want to do.

[MysticTree]

If "willpower" worked, we'd all be where we want to be; doing what we want to do.

Ain't that the truth!

It is so much about changing the way we feel and think so that the cravings are not just powerless but eliminated - for the most part - and often altogether.

[CathyA.]

Being stubborn runs in my family. It's not always the best kind of "willpower", but you use what you have.

[MysticTree]

Being stubborn runs in my family. It's not always the best kind of "willpower", but you use what you have.

me too, but call it determination ;)

[CathyA.]

Oh I like that. Sounds so much nicer.